A.
Requirements for building and zoning permits.
(1)
A building and zoning permit shall be required prior to the erection
or structural alteration of any building, structure or portion thereof
and prior to the use or change in use of a building or land and prior
to the change or extension of a nonconforming use.
B.
Application for permits. Application for permits, including temporary
permits, shall be made in writing to the Zoning Officer on such forms
as may be furnished by the Borough. No permit shall be considered
complete or permanently effective until the Zoning Officer has certified
that the application meets all the requirements of applicable codes
and ordinances.
C.
Requirements for construction permits. All applications for building
permits including demolition shall be accompanied by three copies
of a true and accurate plot plan, and all applications for a zoning
permit shall be accompanied by one such plot plan. All such plot plans
shall be drawn to scale, showing the location and size of each building
to be erected upon each lot, the actual dimension of each lot to be
built upon and such other information as may be necessary to enable
the Subcode Official and Zoning Officer to determine whether the proposed
structure and use of land will conform to the Building Code and the
provisions of this chapter. The Zoning officer shall keep a record
of all applications for zoning permits and a record of all permits
issued with a notation of all special conditions involved. He shall
also file and safely keep copies of all plans submitted, and the same
shall become a part of the records of his office for the use of the
Borough Council and other Borough officials.
D.
Issuance of permits. Zoning permits shall be granted or refused within
15 days after the written application has been filed with the Zoning
Officer. Upon completion of the erection or alteration of any building
or portion thereof authorized by any permit, and prior to occupancy
or use, the holder of such permit shall notify the Zoning Officer
of such completion.
E.
Expiration of permits. No permit for the erection, demolition, change,
alteration or removal of buildings shall be valid or effective after
one year from the date of issuance thereof and shall thereafter be
void, unless the work authorized by such permit shall have been substantially
commenced within one year from the date of issuance and proceeded
with due diligence. If, however, the applicant has been delayed in
commencing the work for which the permit was granted by reason of
any reasonable cause not due to his own negligence, the permit may
be renewed without additional cost to the applicant.
F.
Escrow. At the time the application for a permit or variance is filed,
the Zoning Board of Adjustment may determine that the applicant shall
post an escrow payment to pay the fees of any professional personnel
employed in the process to review, inspect and make recommendations
on the permit application, including but not limited to legal, engineering
and planning services. In the event that the Zoning Board determines
that an escrow shall be posted, the applicant shall post an initial
amount equal to 5% of the Borough Engineer's construction cost estimate
with the Secretary of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Said amount
shall be set up in an escrow fund to be placed with the Borough Treasurer.
Escrow sums not utilized in the review and inspection process shall
be returned to the applicant. Such additional sums shall be paid before
a permit is issued.
G.
Variance fees and additional escrow. The application fee for a variance
shall be $100, paid to the Borough of Riverton. If a variance is granted,
the applicant shall pay the cost of preparation of the resolution
resulting from the Variance and all other professional fees incurred
by the Borough or the applicant. Unless otherwise required by the
Zoning Board, professional fees shall be placed in escrow in the minimum
amount of $250 to meet the cost of reviewing applications, plans and/or
inspecting the site and preparing all documentation and attending
meetings. Any cost incurred in excess of the escrow fees shall be
paid by the applicant before final approval of the application and/or
release of performance guarantees. The variance and permit are not
valid until all fees and costs are paid in full.
A.
No building or structure hereafter erected or structurally altered,
in whole or part, shall be used until a certificate of occupancy shall
have been issued, which certificate of occupancy must have upon it
the signature of the Construction Officer and Zoning Officer. In addition,
a new certificate of occupancy shall be required for existing buildings
where there is a change in use and such new use includes structural
building changes and parking changes.
B.
Issuance. A certificate of occupancy either for the whole or part
of a new building or for alteration of an existing building shall
be applied for after the structure is built and shall be issued within
10 days after the erection or alteration of such building or part
shall have been completed in conformity with the provisions of this
chapter.
C.
Prerequisite for occupancy or use. A certificate of occupancy for
the use or occupancy of vacant land or for a change in the use of
land or for a change in the use of an existing building shall be applied
for and be issued within 10 days after the application has been made
and before any such land or building shall be occupied or used, provided
that such are in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
No zoning permit required by this chapter shall be issued by
the Zoning Officer until he shall have made such examination of the
application and plot plan and such inspection of the property as are
necessary to enable him to determine whether the proposed structure
or use of land will conform to the provisions of this chapter. No
certificate of occupancy required by this article shall be issued
until the subcode officials and Zoning Officer have made such inspection
as is necessary to determine whether the erection or alteration of
the building or structure has been completed in conformity with the
provisions of this chapter or that the proposed use or occupancy of
land will conform to the provisions of this chapter. It shall be the
duty of the subcode officials and Zoning Officer, upon request of
the owner, to make inspection at any stage of the erection or alteration
of a building or structure for the purpose of determining whether
such erection or alteration is being made in conformity with the Building
Code[1] and the provisions of this chapter, but the failure of
the subcode officials or the Zoning Officer to make any such inspection
shall not in any manner entitle such owner to a certificate of occupancy
if such erection or alteration, when completed, does not conform to
the Building Code or the provisions of this chapter.
The Borough Council shall determine a schedule of fees, charges
and expenses, as well as a collection procedure, for all permits and
other matters pertaining to this chapter. Said schedule of fees shall
be posted in the office of the Zoning Officer and Construction Official.
